Display device

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein are a backlight unit and a display device using the same. In an embodiment, the backlight unit includes a substrate, at least one light source on the substrate, a lenses placed over the light source, a reflection sheet in which at least one through hole corresponding to the lens is formed, and a reflection ring comprising an opening portion corresponding to the at least one light source, and placed between the lens and the substrate. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, luminance uniformity of the backlight unit can be improved because the reflection ring surrounding the light source is included.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/904,351, filed on Jun. 17, 2020, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/932,412, filed on Nov. 4, 2015, whichclaims the benefit of earlier filing date and right of priority toKorean Application Nos. 10-2014-015915, filed on Nov. 14, 2014, and10-2014-015916, filed on Nov. 14, 2014, the contents of which are allincorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

The present invention relates to a backlight unit and a display deviceusing the same.

2. Background

As the information-oriented society is advanced, a demand for thedisplay device is increased in various ways. In line with this trend,various display devices, such as a liquid crystal display device (LCD),a plasma display panel (PDP), an electroluminescent display (ELD), and avacuum fluorescent display (VFD) are recently researched and used.

In particular, the liquid crystal panel of an LCD includes a liquidcrystal layer and a TFT substrate and a color filter substrate disposedto face each other with the liquid crystal layer interposedtherebetween. The liquid crystal panel may display an image using lightprovided by a backlight unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments will be described in detail with reference to thefollowing drawings in which like reference numerals refer to likeelements wherein:

FIGS. 1 to 5 are diagrams showing a configuration of a display devicerelated to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 6 to 30 are detailed diagrams for illustrating a display device inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 31 to 43 are diagrams showing another configuration of the displaydevice in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail embodiments of the inventionexamples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Sincethe present invention may be modified in various ways and may havevarious forms, specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings andare described in detail in the present specification. However, it shouldbe understood that the present invention are not limited to specificdisclosed embodiments, but include all modifications, equivalents andsubstitutes included within the spirit and technical scope of thepresent invention.

The terms ‘first’, ‘second’, etc. may be used to describe variouscomponents, but the components are not limited by such terms. The termsare used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from othercomponents. For example, a first component may be designated as a secondcomponent without departing from the scope of the present invention. Inthe same manner, the second component may be designated as the firstcomponent.

The term “and/or” encompasses both combinations of the plurality ofrelated items disclosed and any item from among the plurality of relateditems disclosed.

When an arbitrary component is described as “being connected to “or”being linked to” another component, this should be understood to meanthat still another component (s) may exist between them, although thearbitrary component may be directly connected to, or linked to, thesecond component. In contrast, when an arbitrary component is describedas “being directly connected to” or “being directly linked to” anothercomponent, this should be understood to mean that no component existsbetween them.

The terms used in the present application are used to describe onlyspecific embodiments or examples, and are not intended to limit thepresent invention. A singular expression can include a plural expressionas long as it does not have an apparently different meaning in context.

In the present application, the terms “include” and “have” should beunderstood to be intended to designate that illustrated features,numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereofexist and not to preclude the existence of one or more differentfeatures, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinationsthereof, or the possibility of the addition thereof.

Unless otherwise specified, all of the terms which are used herein,including the technical or scientific terms, have the same meanings asthose that are generally understood by a person having ordinaryknowledge in the art to which the present invention pertains. The termsdefined in a generally used dictionary must be understood to havemeanings identical to those used in the context of a related art, andare not to be construed to have ideal or excessively formal meaningsunless they are obviously specified in the present application.

The following exemplary embodiments of the present invention areprovided to those skilled in the art in order to describe the presentinvention more completely. Accordingly, shapes and sizes of elementsshown in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity.

FIGS. 1 to 5 are diagrams showing a configuration of a display devicerelated to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the display device 100 in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention may include a front cover 105, adisplay panel 110, a backlight unit 120, and a back cover 130.

The front cover 105 may cover the top and sides of the display panel110. The front cover 105 may be a rectangular frame shape having anempty center. An image of the display panel 110 may be displayed to theoutside because the center of the front cover 105 is empty.

The display panel 110 is provided at the front side of the displaydevice 100 and may display an image. The display panel 110 may divide animage into a plurality of pixels, may control the image so that each ofthe plurality of pixels emits light according to its color, brightness,and chroma, and may output the image. The display panel 110 may bedivided into an active region in which an image is displayed and aninactive region in which an image is not displayed. The display panel110 may include a front substrate and a rear substrate which face eachother with a liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween.

The front substrate may include a plurality of pixels formed of red (R),green (G) and blue (B) sub-pixels. When light is applied, the frontsubstrate may generate an image corresponding to red, green, or blue.

The rear substrate may include switching elements. The rear substratemay switch a pixel electrode. For example, the pixel electrode maychange the arrangement of the molecules of the liquid crystal layer inresponse to an external voltage.

The liquid crystal layer may include a plurality of liquid crystalmolecules. The liquid crystal molecules may change their arrangement inresponse to a voltage difference between the pixel electrode and acommon electrode. The liquid crystal layer may transfer light providedby the backlight unit 120 to the front substrate.

The backlight unit 120 may be placed at the back side of the displaypanel 110. The backlight unit 120 may provide light from the back sideof the display panel 110 to the display panel 110. A detailed structureof the backlight unit 120 is described later.

The backlight unit 120 may be closely attached to the back side of thedisplay panel 110. For example, the backlight unit 120 may be attachedand fixed to the back side of the display panel 110. In order to attachthe backlight unit 120 to the display panel 110, an adhesive layer maybe formed between the backlight unit 120 and the display panel 110.

The thickness of the display device 100 can be reduced because thedisplay panel 110 and the backlight unit 120 are closely attachedtogether. Furthermore, a fabrication process can be simplified because astructure for fixing the backlight unit 120 is not necessary.Furthermore, a malfunction of the display device attributable to theinsertion of an alien substance into the space between the backlightunit 120 and the display panel 110 can be prevented because the space isreduced.

The back cover 130 may be placed at the back side of the backlight unit120. The back cover 130 may protect the backlight unit 120 against theoutside.

The back cover 130 may be combined with the front cover 105. The displaypanel 110 and the backlight unit 120 may be modulated by the back cover130 and the front cover 105.

Referring to FIG. 2, an optical sheet 125 may be placed over the backcover 130. The optical sheet 125 may be combined with the back cover 130at the edge of the back cover 130. The optical sheet 125 may be directlyseated in the edge of the back cover 130. That is, the optical sheet 125may be supported by the back cover 130. The top surface of the edge ofthe reflection sheet 125 may be surrounded by an upper guide panel 117.Specifically, the optical sheet 125 may be placed between the edge ofthe back cover 130 and the upper guide panel 117.

The display panel 110 may be placed over the optical sheet 125. Thedisplay panel 110 may be combined with the upper guide panel 117 atedges of the display device 100. The display panel 110 may be directlyseated in the upper guide panel 117. That is, the display panel 110 maybe supported by the upper guide panel 117. The sides of the displaypanel 110 may be guided by the upper guide panel 117. The top surface ofthe edge of the display panel 110 may be surrounded by the front cover105. Specifically, the display panel 110 may be placed between the upperguide panel 117 and the front cover 105.

The display device in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention may further include a lower guide panel 113 between the backcover 130 and the optical sheet 125. In this case, the optical sheet 125may be directly seated in the lower guide panel 113. That is, theoptical sheet 125 may be supported by the lower guide panel 113.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the backlight unit 120 may include asubstrate 122, at least one light assembly 124, a reflection sheet 126,a diffusion plate 129, and the optical sheet 125.

The substrate 122 may include a plurality of bands configured to extendin a first direction and spaced apart from each other at a specificinterval in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. Thesubstrate 122 may be a substrate on which the at least one lightassembly 124 is mounted. An electrode pattern for connecting an adaptorand the light assembly 124 may be formed in the substrate 122. Forexample, a carbon nanotube electrode pattern for connecting the lightassembly 124 and the adaptor may be formed in the substrate 122.

The substrate 122 may be made of polyethyleneterephthalate (PET), glass,polycarbonate (PC), or silicon. The substrate 122 may be a printedcircuit board (PCB) substrate on which the at least one light assembly124 is mounted.

The light assembly 124 having a specific interval in the first directionmay be mounted on the substrate 122. The diameter of the light assembly124 may be greater than the width of the substrate 122 in the seconddirection. The light assembly 124 may be any one of a light-emittingdiode (LED) chip and an LED package including at least one LED chip.

The light assembly 124 may be a colored LED configured to emit at leastone of colors, such as red, blue, and green, or may be formed of a whiteLED. The colored LED may include at least one of a red LED, a blue LED,and a green LED.

The reflection sheet 126 may be placed on the substrate 122. Thereflection sheet 126 may be placed in a region other than a region inwhich the light assembly 124 of the substrate 122 has been formed. Thatis, the reflection sheet 126 may have a through hole in the region inwhich the light assembly 124 has been formed.

The reflection sheet 126 may reflect light emitted by the light assembly124. Furthermore, the reflection sheet 126 may reflect light totallyreflected by the diffusion plate 129. Accordingly, the reflection sheet126 may diffuse light emitted by the light assembly 124.

The reflection sheet 126 may include at least one of reflectionsubstances, such as metal and metal oxides. For example, the reflectionsheet 126 may include metal or metal oxides having a high reflectance,such as one of aluminum (Al), silver (Ag), gold (Au), and titaniumdioxide (TiO₂).

The reflection sheet 126 may be formed by depositing or coating metal ormetal oxides on the substrate 122. The reflection sheet 126 may beformed by printing metal ink. The reflection sheet 126 may be depositedusing a vacuum deposition method, such as a thermal deposition method,an evaporation method, or a sputtering method. The reflection sheet 126may be coated or printed using a printing method, a gravure coatingmethod, or a silk screen method.

Air gaps may be placed on the light assembly 124 and the reflectionsheet 126. The air gap may function as a buffer for widely spreadinglight emitted by the light assembly 124. Resin may be deposited on thelight assembly 124 and the reflection sheet 126. In this case, the resinmay function to diffuse light emitted by the light assembly 124.

The diffusion plate 129 may be placed on the air gaps. The diffusionplate 129 may upward diffuse light emitted by the light assembly 124.

The optical sheet 125 may be placed on the diffusion plate 129. Theoptical sheet 125 may include at least one sheet. Specifically, theoptical sheet 125 may include one or more prism sheets and/or one ormore diffusion sheets.

The plurality of sheets included in the optical sheet 125 are not spacedapart from each other and are provided in the adhesion or closed state,thereby being capable of reducing the thickness of the optical sheet 125or the backlight unit 120.

The lower side of the optical sheet 125 may be closely attached to thediffusion plate 129, and the upper side of the optical sheet 125 may beclosely attached to the lower side of the display panel.

The diffusion sheet of the optical sheet 125 may make luminance of lightmore uniform by preventing light from the diffusion plate from beingpartially crowded. Furthermore, the prism sheet of the optical sheet 125may focus light from the diffusion sheet so that the light is verticallyincident on the display panel.

The optical sheet 125 may include a plurality of sheets having differentfunctions. For example, the optical sheet 125 may include first to thirdoptical sheets 125 a to 125 c. The first optical sheet 125 a may havethe function of the diffusion sheet, and the second and the thirdoptical sheets 125 b and 125 c may have the function of the prism sheet.

In some embodiments, the optical sheet 125 may include the first and thesecond optical sheets 125 a and 125 b. The first optical sheet 125 a mayhave the function of the diffusion sheet, and the second optical sheet125 b may have the function of the prism sheet.

The backlight unit 120 may be driven using a total driving method or apartial driving method, such as a local dimming or impulsive method, butis not limited thereto. A method of driving the backlight unit 120 maybe changed in various ways depending on the circuit design. Accordingly,the display device in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention can sharply represent a dark portion and a bright portion in ascreen, thereby being capable of improving picture quality.

Referring to FIG. 5, the substrate 122 including a plurality of bandsconfigured to extend in the first direction and spaced apart from eachother at a specific interval in the second direction orthogonal to thefirst direction may be provided on the back cover. The ends of aplurality of the substrates 122 on one side thereof may be connected toa wiring electrode 232.

The wiring electrode 232 may extend in the second direction. The wiringelectrode 232 may be connected to the end of the first layer 122 on oneside thereof at a specific interval in the second direction. The wiringelectrode 232 may electrically connect the substrate 122 and theadaptor.

The light assembly 124 may be mounted on the substrate 122 at a specificinterval in the first direction. The diameter of the light assembly 124may be greater than the width of the substrate 122 in the seconddirection. Accordingly, the outside region of the light assembly 124 mayinfringe a region in which the substrate 122 is not provided.

FIGS. 6 to 30 are detailed diagrams for illustrating the display devicein accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, a light source package 303 may be placed on thesubstrate 122. The light source package 303 may be placed at the centerof the light assembly 124, but is not limited thereto. In someembodiments, the light source package 303 may be placed in a portionother than the center of the light assembly 124.

The light source package 303 may include a light source 203, a leadframe 305, a package body 307, and reflection plates 309.

The package body 307 may be placed on the substrate 122. The lead frame305 may surround the package body 307. The lead frame 305 may connectthe light source 203 and the substrate 122 through a wire. Accordingly,a specific voltage from the substrate 122 may be transferred to thelight source 203 through the wire.

The light source 203 may be placed on the lead frame 305. Specifically,the light source 203 may be mounted on the lead frame 305.

The reflection plates 309 may be placed on the lead frame 305. Thereflection plates 309 may surround the sides of the light source 203.The reflection plates 309 may reflect light emitted from the sides ofthe light source 203, thereby being capable of improving light-emittingefficiency of the light source 203. The reflection plates 309 maycontrol a tilt angle by taking into consideration the characteristic oflight from the light source 203.

The light assembly 124 may be a package on board (POB) type lightassembly 124. Specifically, the light assembly 124 may be the lightassembly 124 in which a package on which a chip has been mounted ismounted on a substrate.

Referring to FIG. 7, the POB type light assembly 124 may include one ormore wires 313 on both sides of the light source 203 on the light source203. The at least one wire 313 may electrically connect the light source203 and the lead frame 305.

The light source 203 may be formed of a combination of a P typesemiconductor that provides holes to the light source for substantiallygenerating light and an N type semiconductor that provides electrons tothe light source.

A fluorescent layer 137 may be placed on the light source 203 betweenthe reflection plates 309. The fluorescent layer 137 may cover the lightsource. Furthermore, the fluorescent layer 137 may be surrounded by thereflection plates 309. The fluorescent layer 137 may include afluorescent substance for converting light of a spectrum, generated bythe light source 203, into white light. The fluorescent layer 137 mayhave the same thickness on the light source 203. Furthermore, thefluorescent layer 137 may have the same height as the top of thereflection plates 309. The fluorescent layer 137 may have a refractiveindex of 1.4 to 2.0.

The light assembly 124 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention can improve reliability of a process. Accordingly, when thelight assembly 124 is fabricated, additional investment may not berequired. In this case, high-current driving may not be easy because aheat-dissipation characteristic is limited.

Referring to FIG. 8, the light assembly 124 may include the light source203, a lens 205, and a reflection ring 207.

The light source 203 may be placed on the substrate 122. The lightsource 203 may be placed in the central part of the light assembly 124,but is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the light source 203may be placed in a portion other than the central part of the lightassembly 124.

The light source 203 may emit light in response to an electrical signal.For example, the light source 203 may emit light in a third direction inresponse to an electrical signal, but is not limited thereto. In someembodiments, the light source 203 may emit light in a direction, tiltedat a specific angle from the third direction, in response to anelectrical signal.

The lens 205 may be placed over the light source 203. The lens 205 mayhave a larger diameter than the light source 203. In other words, thelens 205 may be configured to surround the light source 203. The lens205 may change the direction in which light emitted by the light source203 travels and send the light to the display panel. A detailedstructure of the lens 205 is described later.

The upper part of the lens 205 may include a protrusion 213 having anoutside part protruded. In other words, the diameter of the upper partof the lens 205 may be greater than that of the lower part of the lens205.

The lens 205 may be surrounded by the reflection sheet 126. The diameterof a region in which the reflection sheet 126 is not provided may begreater than the diameter of the bottom of the lens 205 and may besmaller than the diameter of the top of the lens 205. That is, theoutside region of the top of the lens 205 may overlap with one end ofthe reflection sheet 126 in the first and the second directions.

The lens 205 may include a substance having a refractive index of 1 ormore to 1.5 or less. For example, the lens 205 may include any one ofpolymethyl mata acrylate (PMMA), cyclic olefin copolymer (COC), or acombination of them.

A top surface of the reflection sheet 126 may be higher than the bottomsurface of the lens 205 and lower than the top surface of the lens 205,but is not limited thereto. The top surface of the reflection sheet 126may be lower than the bottom surface of the lens 205.

The reflection ring 207 surrounding the light source 203 may be placed.The reflection ring 207 may not come in contact with the light source203. The reflection ring 207 may include a first plane configured toface the light source 203, a second plane configured to face thereflection sheet 126, and a third plane configured to face the lens 205.

The reflection ring 207 may include the same substance as the reflectionsheet 126 or may include a substance similar to the substance of thereflection sheet 126. For example, the reflection ring 207 may includeat least one of metal and metal oxides, that is, reflection substances.The reflection ring 207 may have reflectance higher than the substrate122.

The reflection ring 207 may have been separated from the reflectionsheet 126 at a specific interval. The reflection ring 207 may reflectlight incident on the inside of the diameter of the lens unlike in thereflection sheet 126. A detailed function and structure of thereflection ring 207 are described later.

The light assembly 124 may be a chip on board (COB) type light assembly124. Specifically, the light assembly 124 may be the light assembly 124in which a chip is mounted right on a substrate.

In the light assembly 124 according to the present embodiment, the lightsource 203 may be placed on the substrate 122. Accordingly, the size andweight of the light assembly 124 can be reduced.

Referring to FIG. 9, the light source 203 of the light assembly 124 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention may have a COBtype. The COB type light source 203 of the light assembly 124 mayinclude at least one of a light-emitting layer 135, first and secondelectrodes 147 and 149, and a fluorescent layer 137.

The light-emitting layer 135 may be placed on the substrate 122. Thelight-emitting layer 135 may emit any one color of blue, red, and green.The light-emitting layer 135 may include Firpic, (CF3ppy)₂Ir (pic), 9,10-di (2-naphthyl)anthracene (AND), perylene, distyrybiphenyl, PVK,OXD-7, UGH-3 (blue), and a combination of them.

The first and the second electrodes 147 and 149 may be placed on bothsides of the bottom surface of the light-emitting layer 135. The firstand the second electrodes 147 and 149 may transfer an external drivingsignal to the light-emitting layer 135.

The fluorescent layer 137 may cover the light-emitting layer 135 and thefirst and the second electrodes 147 and 149. The fluorescent layer 137may include a fluorescent substance for converting light of a spectrum,generated by the light-emitting layer 135, into white light. Thefluorescent layer 137 may have the same thickness on the light-emittinglayer 135. The fluorescent layer 137 may have a refractive index of 1.4to 2.0.

The light assembly 124 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention may have light-emitting efficiency because the light source203 is placed right on the substrate 122. Accordingly, the size of thelight assembly 124 can be reduced.

Furthermore, the light assembly 124 may be driven by a high currentbecause the light source 203 is placed right on the substrate 122 andheat dissipation is excellent. Accordingly, the number of lightassemblies 124 for the backlight unit 120 can be reduced.

Furthermore, the light assembly 124 may not require a wire bondingprocess because the light source 203 is placed right on the substrate122. Accordingly, a cost can be reduced because the process issimplified.

In such a COB type light assembly 124, light may laterally leak becausea reflection plate is not present and the light does not pass throughthe lens 205 unlike in an existing POB type light assembly. Thereflection ring 207 can prevent light from laterally leaking.

Hereinafter, a construction in which the light source package 303 isplaced on the substrate 122 is omitted, and only a construction in whichthe light source 203 is placed on the substrate 122 is illustrated, forconvenience of description.

Referring to FIG. 10, the lens 205 may include the bottom surface 413, aconical groove 415, support parts 417, a conical side part 419, aninverse-conical groove 423, an inverse-conical side part 425, and thetop surface 427.

The conical groove 415 may be placed in the central part of the bottomsurface 413. Specifically, the conical groove 415 may be configured tobe burrowed from the central part of the bottom surface 413 to the upperside of the lens 205. The conical groove 415 may have a conical shape inwhich a vertex surrounding the light source has been cut. The conicalgroove 415 may transfer light, emitted by the light source, to the sideor top surface of the lens 205.

The support parts 417 may be placed in a region which surrounds theoutside in which the conical groove 415 is connected to the bottomsurface 413. The support parts 417 may be placed in the places where theconical groove 415 divides the outside connected to the bottom surface413 into three, but is not limited thereto. The support parts 417 may beplaced in the places where the conical groove 415 divides the outsideconnected to the bottom surface 413 into three or more. The supportparts 417 may have been protruded from the bottom surface 413 to theoutside of the lens 205. The support parts 417 may have a cylinder, atrigonal prism, or a rectangular parallelepiped.

The support parts 417 may couple the lens 205 and the substrate. Thelens 205 may have been spaced apart from the substrate at a specificinterval by the support parts 417. Accordingly, the light source and thereflection ring may be placed between the lens 205 and the substrate.

The conical side part 419 may extend from the bottom surface 413 to thetop surface 427. The length of the conical side part 419 in the thirddirection may be the same as that of the conical groove 415 in the thirddirection, but is not limited thereto. The length of the conical sidepart 419 in the third direction may be longer than that of the conicalgroove 415 in the third direction. The conical side part 419 may refractlight which is reflected by the inverse-conical groove 423 or isdirectly incident from the conical groove 415.

The inverse-conical groove 423 may be placed in the central part of thetop surface 427. Specifically, the inverse-conical groove 423 may beconfigured to be burrowed from the central part of the top surface 427to the bottom surface 412. The inverse-conical groove 423 may have ashape opposite a shape in which a vertex has been cut. The center of theinverse-conical groove 423 may be matched up with the center of theconical groove 415. The inverse conical groove 423 may induce totalreflection of incident light and transfer the light to the side or thebottom surface 413.

The inverse-conical side part 425 may extend from the top surface 427 tothe bottom surface 413. The inverse-conical side part 425 may have beenextended from the conical side part 419. The length of theinverse-conical side part 425 in the third direction may be the same asthat of the conical groove 415 in the third direction, but is notlimited thereto. The length of the inverse-conical side part 425 in thethird direction may be longer than that of the inverse-conical groove423 in the third direction. The inverse-conical side part 425 mayrefract light which is totally reflected by the inverse-conical groove423.

Referring to FIG. 11, when the reflection ring 207 is not present, lightemitted from the light source 203 to the upper side may be totallyreflected by the inverse-conical groove (423 of FIG. 10). The lighttotally reflected by the inverse-conical groove (423 of FIG. 10) may betotally reflected from the inverse-conical side part (425 of FIG. 10) tothe bottom surface (413 of FIG. 10). The light totally reflected by thebottom surface (413 of FIG. 10) may be refracted and directed toward thesubstrate 122.

At least part of the light refracted by the substrate 122 may beabsorbed by the substrate 122. Accordingly, the amount of lighttransferred to the upper side of the lens 205 may be small. As a result,luminance uniformity of the backlight unit may be reduced.

In contrast, when the reflection ring 207 is present, light refractedtoward the substrate 122 may be reflected toward the reflection ring 207and refracted by the bottom surface (413 of FIG. 10). The lightrefracted by the bottom surface (413 of FIG. 10) may be refracted by theinverse-conical groove (423 of FIG. 10) again and directed toward thetop surface (427 of FIG. 10) of the lens. Accordingly, the amount oflight transferred to the upper side of the lens 205 may be much. As aresult, luminance uniformity of the backlight unit may be increased.

Referring to FIG. 12, the diameter LD of the lens 205 may be greaterthan the diameter RD of the reflection ring 207. For example, if thediameter LD of the lens may be 25 mm or more to 28 mm or less, thediameter RD of the reflection ring 207 may be 22.5 mm.

The thickness of the reflection ring 207 may be different from theheight of the reflection sheet 126. Specifically, the thickness of thereflection ring 207 may be smaller than that of the reflection sheet 126because the reflection sheet 126 reflects light incident from the lens205 and the reflection ring 207 reflects light incident from the lightsource 203 lower than the lens 205.

The diameter RD of the reflection ring 207 may not be greater than thediameter LD of the lens 205 because the reflection ring 207 functions toreflect light incident on the power side of the lens 205.

The reflection sheet 126 may be configured to surround the lens 205.Accordingly the reflection sheet 126 may be placed outside the lens 205.Since the reflection sheet 126 needs to surround the lens 205, theheight of the top surface of the reflection sheet 126 may be higher thanthat of the bottom surface 413 of the lens 205.

Referring to FIG. 13, one or more holes 171 may be formed in thereflection ring 207 so that the support parts 417 of the lens 205 arecoupled to the substrate 122. If a hole is not formed in the reflectionring 207, the lens 205 may not be fixed to the substrate 122.Accordingly, the lens 205 may be easily separated from the reflectionring 207 or may be easily damaged. Furthermore, light emitted by thelight source 203 may not be uniform.

The one or more holes 171 may be placed in portions corresponding to thesupport parts 417 of the lens 205. Accordingly, the support parts 417 ofthe lens 205 may be inserted into the one or more holes 171 and coupledto the substrate 122. The diameter of the hole 171 may be equal to orgreater than the diameter of the support part 417 so that the supportpart 417 is inserted into the hole 171. In embodiments to be describedlater, the one or more holes 171 and the support parts 417 are notillustrated for convenience of description. However, this can be appliedto other embodiments.

Referring to FIGS. 14 to 16, the reflection ring 207 may have a circle,a triangle, or a pentagon which surrounds the light source 203. Both theoutside 207 b and inside 207 a of the reflection ring 207 may have acircle, a triangle, or a pentagon. If the reflection ring 207 has acircle, a triangle, or a pentagon which surrounds the light source 203,the peripheral part of the lens may be brighter than the central part ofthe lens in the backlight unit.

The reflection ring 207 may include an opening portion 263. The openingportion 263 may be spaced apart from the light source at a specificinterval.

The width L1 of the reflection ring 207 in the second direction may begreater than the width L2 of the substrate 122 in the second direction.The diameter of the lens may be greater than the width of the substrate122 in the second direction. The width L1 of the reflection ring 207 inthe second direction may be almost similar to the diameter of the lensbecause a portion on which light is incident needs to be placed underthe lens. Accordingly, the width L1 of the reflection ring 207 in thesecond direction may be greater than the width L2 of the substrate 122in the second direction.

In the backlight unit in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention, at least some of light in all the directions which isincident on the lower side of the lens 205 can be reflect toward theupper side of the lens 205 because the reflection ring 207 is configuredto surround the light source 203. Accordingly, luminance uniformity ofthe backlight unit can be improved.

Referring to FIG. 17, the reflection ring 207 may be configured tosurround the light source 203. Specifically, the inside 207 a of thereflection ring 207 may have at least three protrusions. Accordingly,the distance between the inside 207 a and outside 207 b of thereflection ring 207 may be changed gradually alternately from a firstdistance OL1 to a second distance OL2. If the reflection ring 207 isconfigured to surround the light source 203 and the distance between theinside 207 a and the outside 207 b is changed gradually alternately, thecentral part of the lens may be brighter than the peripheral part of thelens in the backlight unit.

The width L1 of the reflection ring 207 in the second direction may begreater than the width L2 of the substrate 122 in the second direction.The diameter of the lens may be greater than the width of the substrate122 in the second direction. The width L1 of the reflection ring 207 inthe second direction may be almost similar to the diameter of the lensbecause a portion on which light is incident needs to be placed underthe lens. Accordingly, the width L1 of the reflection ring 207 in thesecond direction may be greater than the width L2 of the substrate 122in the second direction.

In the backlight unit in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention, at least some of light in all the directions which isincident on the lower side of the lens 205 can be reflect toward theupper side of the lens 205 because the reflection ring 207 is configuredto surround the light source 203. Accordingly, luminance uniformity ofthe backlight unit can be improved.

Referring to FIG. 18, at least one groove 238 may be placed in theinside 207 a of the reflection ring 207. The at least one groove 238 maybe protruded from the direction of the inside 207 a to the direction ofthe outside 207 b. The at least one groove 238 may have a hemisphericalshape, but is not limited thereto. The at least one groove 238 may havea triangle, a circle, or a rectangular shape.

The at least one groove 238 may be matched up with at least oneprotrusion placed in the substrate 122. Accordingly, when the reflectionring 207 is mounted on the substrate 122, it can be mounted on thesubstrate 122 more easily.

The backlight unit in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention may include the at least one groove 238 in the inside 207 a ofthe reflection ring 207. Accordingly, when the reflection ring 207 ismounted on the substrate 122, the location in which the reflection ring207 is mounted can be matched up by the at least one groove 238.

Referring to FIG. 19, at least one pattern 249 may be provided on thetop surface of the reflection ring 207. The at least one pattern 249 mayhave a circle, but is not limited thereto. The at least one pattern 249may have a triangle, a rectangular shape, or a star shape.

The at least one pattern 249 may include a plurality of regions whose atleast one of the location, shape, and color is different. One region andthe other region may be repeatedly formed in the plurality of regions.

The at least one pattern 249 may be placed in the position spaced apartfrom the inside 207 a of the reflection ring 207 at a third distance F1.Furthermore, the at least one pattern 249 may be placed in the positionspaced apart from the inside 207 a of the reflection ring 207 at afourth distance F2.

Only one pattern 249 may be placed in a line which connects the inside207 a and outside 207 b of the reflection ring 207. In other words, theat least one pattern 249 may be placed on the reflection ring 207 inzigzags.

The at least one pattern 249 may have been engraved in the reflectionring 207 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention inzigzags. Accordingly, the backlight unit can maintain uniform luminanceby controlling the amount of light reflected toward the upper side ofthe lens.

Referring to FIG. 20, the at least one pattern 249 may be placed only inthe position spaced apart from the inside 207 a of the reflection ring207 at a specific interval. The at least one pattern 249 may be placedin the middle between the inside 207 a and outside 207 b of thereflection ring 207.

The reflection ring 207 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention can simplify the process and reduce a cost because thepatterns are not placed in zigzags, but are placed in a single line.

Referring to FIG. 21, the one or more patterns 249 placed in zigzags maybe connected to one. The connected pattern 249 may surround the lightsource 203. The connected pattern 249 may have a shape in which theprotrusion is repeated.

In the reflection ring 207 in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention, since the one or more patterns 249 are connected toone, the amount of light in the front direction can be controlledcompared to the case where the one or more patterns 249 are separatelyplaced. Accordingly, the backlight unit can maintain uniform luminance.

Referring to FIG. 22, the at least one pattern 249 may be placed in thelocation spaced apart from the inside 207 a of the reflection ring 207at the third distance F1 and the fourth distance F2. In the reflectionring 207, the number of patterns 249 placed in the fourth distance F2may be greater than the number of patterns 249 placed in the thirddistance F1. For example, the number of patterns 249 spaced apart fromthe inside 207 a at the third distance F1 may be twice or more than thenumber of patterns 249 spaced apart from the inside 207 a at the fourthdistance F2.

In the reflection ring 207 in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention, since the number of patterns 249 placed in the fourthdistance F2 is greater than the number of patterns 249 placed in thethird distance F1, less light can be reflected toward the outskirt partof the reflection ring 207 to which more light is directed. Accordingly,the backlight unit can maintain uniform luminance.

Referring to FIG. 23, the inside 207 a of the reflection ring 207 mayhave at least three protrusion. The distance between the inside 207 aand outside 207 b of the reflection ring 207 may be changed graduallyalternately from a first distance OL1 to a second distance OL2.

The at least one pattern 249 may be placed in the location space apartfrom a portion in which the inside 207 a of the reflection ring 207 hasbeen depressed at the third distance F1 and the fourth distance F2. Theat least one pattern 249 may be placed on the reflection ring 207 inzigzags.

If the reflection ring 207 in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention is configured to surround the light source 203 and thedistance between the inside 207 a and the outside 207 b is configured tochange gradually alternately, the central part of the lens may bebrighter than the peripheral part of the lens in the backlight unit.

Furthermore, in the reflection ring 207 in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention, the at least one pattern 249 may have beenengraved in the reflection ring 207 in zigzags. Accordingly, thebacklight unit can maintain uniform luminance by controlling the amountof light reflected toward the upper side of the lens.

Referring to FIG. 24, the inside 207 a of the reflection ring 207 mayhave at least three protrusions, and the distance between the inside 207a and outside 207 b of the reflection ring 207 may change graduallyalternately from the first distance OL1 to the second distance OL2.

In the reflection ring 207, the one or more patterns 249 placed inzigzags may be connected to one. The connected pattern 249 may surroundthe light source 203. The connected pattern 249 may have a shape inwhich the protrusion is repeated.

If the reflection ring 207 in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention is configured to surround the light source 203 and thedistance between the inside 207 a and the outside 207 b is configured tochange gradually alternately, the central part of the lens may bebrighter than the peripheral part of the lens in the backlight unit.

Furthermore, in the reflection ring 207 in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention, the one or more patterns 249 are connected toone in the reflection ring 207. Accordingly, the amount of light in thefront direction can be controlled compared to the case where the one ormore patterns 249 are separately placed. Accordingly, the backlight unitcan maintain uniform luminance.

Referring to FIG. 25, the at least one pattern 249 may be placed in afirst plane 217 of the reflection ring 207, which faces the light source203. The at least one pattern 249 may be placed on the first plane 217in zigzags.

The first plane 217 of the reflection ring 207 may be tilted. If thefirst plane 217 of the reflection ring 207 is tilted, light efficiencycan be improved because the amount of light incident on the side isincreased compared to the case where the first plane 217 of thereflection ring 207 is vertical.

The at least one pattern 249 may be engraved in zigzags in the firstplane 217 of the reflection ring 207 in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention. Accordingly, the backlight unit can maintainuniform luminance by controlling the amount of light reflected towardthe upper side of the lens.

Referring to FIG. 26, the at least one pattern 249 may be placed on thefirst plane 217 of the reflection ring 207. The at least one pattern 249may be placed on the first plane 217 of the reflection ring 207 inzigzags.

The first plane 217 of the reflection ring 207 may be tilted. If thefirst plane 217 of the reflection ring 207 is tilted, light efficiencycan be increased because the amount of light incident on the side isincreased compared to the case where the first plane 217 of thereflection ring 207 is vertical.

As the first plane 217 of the reflection ring 207 becomes far from theground, the number of patterns 249 may be increased. In other words, asthe height of the first plane 217 of the reflection ring 207 isincreased, the number of patterns 249 may be increased.

In the reflection ring 207 in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention, light may be less reflected toward the top of thefirst plane 217 on which more light is incident because the number ofpatterns 249 is increased as the first plane 217 of the reflection ring207 becomes far from the ground. Accordingly, the backlight unit canmaintain uniform luminance.

Referring to FIG. 27, when light is incident on two media havingdifferent refractive indices, the light may be refracted while passingthrough the boundary of the two media. A refractive index may bedifferent depending on the wavelength of light. Accordingly, when lightis refracted, it may be refracted at a different angle depending on eachwavelength. For example, when light is incident from one medium to theother medium, an angle at which yellow light is refracted may be greaterthan an angle at which blue light is refracted.

In the case of a white LED, a difference between the wavelengths ofyellow light and blue light is great. Accordingly, when light isincident on the lens, color may be separated into yellow and blue. Ifcolor is separated into yellow and blue, uniformity of color may bedeteriorated. In other words, color coordinates may be low around alens, and color coordinates may be high between lenses.

Referring to FIG. 28, in the case of a common backlight unit, when lightfrom the light source 203 is incident on the lens 205, color may beseparated into blue B and yellow Y due to a difference betweenrefractive indices according to their wavelengths. Accordingly, light ofyellow Y may be reflected toward the outside of the reflection ring 207compared to light of blue B.

Light reflected by the reflection ring 207 may be refracted by the lens205, so blue B may more appear in the central part of the lens comparedto yellow Y.

In the backlight unit in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention, the at least one pattern 249 of the reflection ring 207 maybe yellow. Accordingly, when blue light is reflected in addition toreflected yellow light, light close to yellow may be reflected due tothe at least one pattern 249. Accordingly, a phenomenon in which thecolor of incident light is separated can be reduced.

Referring to FIG. 29, only a pattern 249 at the location spaced apartfrom the inside 207 a of the reflection ring 207 at the third distanceF1 may include yellow. In other words, the pattern 249 at the locationspaced apart from the inside 207 a of the reflection ring 207 at thethird distance F1 may include yellow, and the pattern 249 at thelocation spaced apart from the outside 207 b at the fourth distance F2may include black.

The black pattern 249 and the yellow pattern 249 may be placed inzigzags.

In the reflection ring 207 in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention, blue light incident on the inside may become close toyellow light because the pattern 249 at the location spaced apart fromthe inside 207 a at the third distance F1 includes yellow. Accordingly,a phenomenon in which the color of incident light is separated can bereduced.

Furthermore, the backlight unit can have uniform luminance because thepattern 249 at the location spaced apart from the inside 207 a at thefourth distance F2 reduces the amount of reflected light.

Referring to FIG. 30, protrusions 274 may be placed at the thirddistance F1 and the fourth distance F2 from the inside 207 a of thereflection ring 207. Only a single protrusion 274 may be placed in aline which connects the inside 207 a and outside 207 b of the reflectionring 207. In other words, at least one protrusion 274 may be placed onthe reflection ring 207 in zigzags.

The reflection ring 207 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention can make uniform luminance of the backlight unit bycontrolling an angle of light reflected toward the reflection ring 207because the protrusions 274 are placed on the reflection ring 207 inzigzags.

FIGS. 31 to 43 are diagrams showing another configuration of the displaydevice in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 31, a package on board type light assembly, such asthat shown in FIG. 6, may have less light that laterally leaks becausethe reflection plate (309 of FIG. 6) is placed.

In contrast, in a chip on board (COB) type light assembly, such as thatshown in FIG. 8, the reflection plate may not be placed. In this case,light may leak out to the side of the light source 203. When light leaksout to the side of the light source 203, a bright point defect may begenerated over the lens 205. Accordingly, there may be a problem in thatpicture quality over the lens 205 is not uniform or not smooth.

Light incident from the side of an existing light source 203 notincluding the reflection ring 207 may be refracted toward the bottomsurface 413 of the lens 205. The refracted light may be totallyreflected by the inverse-conical side part 425 of the lens 205. Thetotally reflected light may be refracted toward an inverse-conicalgroove 423 and incident on the top of the lens 205.

The light incident from the side of the light source 203 may be directedtoward the top of the lens 205. Pieces of the light directed toward thetop of the lens 205 may gather and form a bright point defect.Accordingly, the backlight unit may not maintain luminance uniformity.

In the backlight unit in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention, the reflection ring 207 may be placed while surrounding thelight source 203. The reflection ring 207 may include the openingportion 263 spaced apart from the light source 203 at a specificinterval and a sidewall 267 configured to reflect light emitted by thelight source 203. Light incident from the side of the light source 203may be reflected toward the sidewall 267 of the reflection ring 207. Thereflected light may be refracted by the bottom surface 413 or conicalgroove 415 of the lens 205. The refracted light may be refracted by theinverse-conical side part 425 or may be reflected toward theinverse-conical groove 423 and refracted by the inverse-conical sidepart 425.

The light refracted by the inverse-conical side part 425 may bedispersed to several places unlike in the case where the reflection ring207 is not present.

In the backlight unit in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention, side light from the light source 203 may not be concentratedon one place, but may be dispersed in all directions by the reflectionring 207. Accordingly, luminance uniformity of the backlight unit can bemaintained.

Referring to FIG. 32, the height H2 of the reflection ring 207 may besmaller than the height H1 of the light source 203. The reflection ring207 may function to block light which leaks from the side of the lightsource 203. Furthermore, light incident on another part of the lightsource 203 other than the side of the light source 203 may be dispersedby the reflection of the inside of the lens 205. Accordingly, the heightH2 of the reflection ring 207 may be smaller than the height H1 of thelight source 203 in order to prevent light which leaks from the side ofthe light source 203.

The height H2 of the reflection ring 207 may be greater than 40% of theheight H1 of the light source 203. The reflection ring 207 may functionto prevent light which leaks from the side of the light source 203 andreflect the light. If the height H2 of the reflection ring 207 issmaller than 40% of the height H1 of the light source 203, thereflection ring 207 may not function to prevent light which leaks fromthe side of the light source 203. Accordingly, the height H2 of thereflection ring 207 may be greater than 40% of the height H1 of thelight source 203.

Referring to FIG. 33, the outside 207 b of the reflection ring 207 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention may have acircle. The shape of the inside 207 a of the reflection ring 207 may bethe same as or similar to that of the light source 203. The shape of theinside 207 a of the reflection ring 207 may be the same as or similar tothat of the light source 203 in order to maintain a specific interval inthe light source 203 and all the locations.

The inside 207 a of the reflection ring 207 may be spaced apart from thelight source 203 at a specific interval Dl. For example, the inside 207a of the reflection ring 207 may be spaced apart from the light source203 at an interval of 500 micrometers or more to 1 millimeter or less.If the distance between the inside 207 a of the reflection ring 207 andthe light source 203 is 500 micrometers or more to 1 millimeter or less,the reflection ring 207 may function to prevent light which leaks fromthe side of the light source 203. If the distance between the inside 207a of the reflection ring 207 and the light source 203 is less than 500micrometers, the reflection ability of the reflection ring 207 may bereduced. If the distance between the inside 207 a of the reflection ring207 and the light source 203 is more than 1 millimeters, the reflectionability of the reflection ring 207 is unable to prevent leaking light.

Referring to FIG. 34, the reflection ring 207 and the reflection sheet126 may come in contact with each other. One side of the reflection ring207 may be protruded to the outside of the lens 205 because thereflection ring 207 needs to come in contact with the reflection sheet126.

In the reflection ring 207 in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention, the space between the reflection ring 207 and thereflection sheet 126 can be removed because the reflection ring 207 andthe reflection sheet 126 need to come in contact with each other.Accordingly, light can be prevented from being incident on the spacebetween the reflection ring 207 and the reflection sheet 126 and frombeing absorbed by the substrate 122. Accordingly, light efficiency ofthe backlight unit can be further improved.

Referring to FIG. 35, the reflection ring 207 and the reflection sheet126 may overlap with each other. One side of the reflection sheet 126may be extended on top of the reflection ring 207. Accordingly, one sideof the reflection sheet 126 may burrow under the lens 205. Since oneside of the reflection sheet 126 is extended on top of the reflectionring 207, height including the reflection ring 207 and the reflectionsheet 126 may be higher than the height of the light source 203.

In the reflection ring 207 in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention, light may not leak between the reflection ring 207and the reflection sheet 126 because the reflection ring 207 and thereflection sheet 126 overlap with each other. Accordingly, lightefficiency can be improved because light absorbed by the substrate 122is reduced.

Referring to FIGS. 36 and 37, the face 217 of the reflection sheet 207which faces the light source 203 may be tilted. Specifically, the angleA1 of the face 217 of the reflection ring 207 which faces the lightsource 203 may be 60 degrees or more 90 degrees or less from the ground.If the angle A1 of the face 217 of the reflection ring 207 which facesthe light source 203 is less than 60 degrees, light leaking from theside of the light source 203 may not be reflected toward the lens 205,but may laterally leak.

The amount of light incident from the side of the light source 203 maybe greater than the amount of light incident from the lower side of thelight source 203 toward the top. Accordingly, if the first plane 217 ofthe reflection ring 207 is tilted as described above, light incidentfrom the upper side of the light source 203 may be reflected toward theupper side of the first plane 217 of the reflection ring 207. Thereflected light may be totally reflected toward the inverse-conicalgroove 423 of the lens and then laterally dispersed.

Light incident from the lower side of the light source 203 may bereflected toward the lower side of the face 217 of the reflection sheet207 which faces the light source 203. The reflected light may be totallyreflected toward the inverse-conical groove 423 of the lens and thenlaterally dispersed. Light incident from the lower side of the lightsource 203 can be dispersed to a closer portion compared to lightincident from the upper side of the light source 203.

In the reflection ring 207 in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention, since the face 217 of the reflection ring 207 whichfaces the light source 203 is tilted, light which is incident on theupper side of the light source 203 and is great in the amount of lightcan be dispersed far away. Light which is incident from the lower sideof the light source 203 and is small in the amount of light can bedispersed relatively closely.

Referring to FIG. 38, the lower side of the first plane 217 of thereflection ring 207 may not be tilted, but only the upper side of thefirst plane 217 of the reflection ring 207 may be tilted. In otherwords, the first plane 217 of the reflection ring 207 may include aninclined plane of at least one some region and a vertical plane of atleast the other region. The reflection ring 207 may have a trapezoidshape. The angle A2 of the upper side of the first plane 217 of thereflection ring 207 may be 60 degrees or more from the ground. If theangle A2 of the upper side of the first plane 217 of the reflection ring207 is less than 60 degrees, light leaking from the side of the lightsource 203 may laterally leak without being reflected toward the lens205.

In the reflection ring 207 in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention, the lower side of the first plane 217 of thereflection ring 207 may not be tilted, but only the upper side of thefirst plane 217 of the reflection ring 207 may be tilted. Accordingly,light incident from the upper side of the light source 203 can bedispersed far away, and light incident from the lower side of the lightsource 203 can be dispersed relatively closely.

Furthermore, since the lower side of the first plane 217 of thereflection ring 207 is not tilted, dispersion according to the amount oflight can become more uniform compared to the case where the first plane217 of the reflection ring 207 is fully tilted.

Referring to FIG. 39, the first plane 217 of the reflection ring 207 maybe convexly tilted. The angle of the first plane 217 of the reflectionring 207 may be 60 degrees or more 90 degrees or less from the ground inall the contact points. If the angle of the first plane 217 of thereflection ring 207 is less than 60 degrees, light leaking from the sideof the light source 203 may laterally leak without being reflectedtoward the lens 205.

In the reflection ring 207 in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention, since the face 217 of the reflection ring 207 whichfaces the light source 203 is convexly tilted, light can be betterdispersed compared to the case where the face 217 of the reflection ring207 is tilted at a specific angle.

Referring to FIGS. 40 and 41, the second plane 219 of the reflectionring 207 which faces the reflection sheet 126 may be tilted.Specifically, the angle of the second plane 219 of the reflection ring207 may be 60 degrees or more 90 degrees or less from the ground. If theangle of the second plane 219 of the reflection ring 207 is less than 60degrees, light reflected by the lens 205 may be absorbed by thesubstrate 122 without being reflected toward the reflection ring 207.

Light incident on the top of the light source 203 may be curved in theconical groove 415. The curved light may be totally reflected by theinverse-conical groove 423. The light totally reflected by theinverse-conical groove 423 may be reflected by the inverse-conical sidepart 425. At least some of the reflected light may be incident on thesecond plane 219 of the reflection ring 207.

If the second plane 219 of the reflection ring 207 is not tilted, lightincident on the second plane 219 of the reflection ring 207 may beabsorbed by the substrate 122 without being reflected toward the lens205.

If the second plane 219 of the reflection ring 207 is tilted, lightincident on the second plane 219 of the reflection ring 207 may bereflected toward the lens 205 and may travel toward the top of the lens205.

In the reflection ring 207 in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention, the second plane 219 of the reflection ring 207 canreflect more light toward the lens 205 because the second plane 219 istilted. Accordingly, light efficiency of the backlight unit can beimproved.

Referring to FIG. 42, the second plane 219 of the reflection ring 207may be convexly tilted. The angle of the second plane 219 of thereflection ring 207 may be 60 degrees or more 90 degrees or less fromthe ground in all the contact points. If the angle of the second plane219 of the reflection ring 207 is less than 60 degrees, light incidenton the second plane 219 of the reflection ring 207 may be absorbed bythe substrate 122 without being reflected toward the lens 205.

In the reflection ring 207 in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention, since the second plane 219 of the reflection ring 207is convexly tilted, light can be better dispersed compared to the casewhere the second plane 219 of the reflection ring 207 is tilted at aspecific angle.

Referring to FIG. 43, the reflection ring 207 may include a plurality ofprotrusions in the first plane 217. In other words, the first plane 217of the reflection ring 207 may have at least one convex protrusion.

In the reflection ring 207 in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention, since the first plane 217 of the reflection ring 207includes at least one convex protrusion, light incident on the side ofthe light source 203 can be irregularly dispersed in various directions.Accordingly, the backlight unit can have uniform luminance.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number ofillustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerousother modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled inthe art that will fall within the scope of the principles of thisdisclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications arepossible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subjectcombination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawingsand the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications inthe component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also beapparent to those skilled in the art.

In an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a backlightunit, including a substrate, at least one light source on the substrate,a lenses placed over the light source, a reflection sheet in which atleast one through hole corresponding to the lens is formed, and areflection ring comprising an opening portion corresponding to the atleast one light source, and placed between the lens and the substrate.

The reflection ring may be configured to further include a sidewalldisposed to face the light source in the opening portion.

Reflectance of the top surface may be greater than reflectance of thesubstrate.

The thickness of the reflection ring may be different from the thicknessof the reflection sheet.

The diameter of the reflection ring may be smaller than the diameter ofthe lens included in the light assembly.

The opening portion may have any one of a circle, a triangle, and apentagon.

The backlight unit may further include at least one pattern formed in atleast one some region of the top surface.

The backlight unit may further include at least one pattern formed in atleast one some region of the at least one sidewall of the reflectionring.

The at least one pattern may include a plurality of regions havingdifferent locations, shapes, and colors. The plurality of regions mayinclude a first region and a second region which are repeatedly formed.

The sidewall may include at least one of a first sidewall on the openingportion side in which the light source is placed and a second sidewalloutside the reflection ring.

The sidewall may include an inclined plane tilted with respect to thelight source.

The sidewall may include an inclined plane of at least one some regionand a vertical plane of at least the other region.

The inclined plane may be formed at a tilt angle of 60 degrees or more90 degrees or less.

The reflection ring may come in contact with the reflection sheet or atleast part of the reflection ring may be disposed to overlap with atleast part of the reflection sheet.

The distance between the light source and the opening portion may be 500micrometers or more to 1 millimeter or less.

A ratio of the height of the sidewall to the height of the light sourcemay be 0.4 or higher to 1.0 or less.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a displaydevice, including a backlight unit configured to comprise at least onelight source, a display panel placed in the front side of the backlightunit, and a back cover placed in the back side of the backlight unit.The backlight unit comprises a substrate, at least one light source onthe substrate, a lens placed over the light source, a reflection sheetin which at least one through hole corresponding to the lens is formed,and a reflection ring comprising an opening portion corresponding to theat least one light source, and placed between the lens and thesubstrate.

The reflection ring may further include a sidewall disposed to face thelight source in the opening portion.

The display device may further include at least one pattern formed in atleast one some region of the top surface.

The display device may further include at least one pattern formed in atleast one some region of the at least one sidewall of the reflectionring.

Any reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” “example embodiment,” etc., means that a particularfeature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with theembodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Theappearances of such phrases in various places in the specification arenot necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic is described inconnection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within thepurview of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, orcharacteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number ofillustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerousother modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled inthe art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles ofthis disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modificationsare possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subjectcombination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawingsand the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications inthe component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also beapparent to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A backlight unit comprising: a substrate; a lightsource disposed on the substrate; a lens disposed over the light source;and a plurality of patterns between the substrate and the lens anddisposed around the light source, wherein each of the plurality ofpatterns is shaped to be elongated and non-linear and positioned suchthat a middle portion with reference to a length of each pattern ispositioned closer to the light source than corresponding oppositeterminating ends with reference to the length of the pattern.
 2. Thebacklight unit of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of patterns iscurvilinear.
 3. The backlight unit of claim 2, wherein each of theplurality of patterns has a same shape.
 4. The backlight unit of claim3, wherein the each of the plurality of patterns is yellow andconfigured to reflect light from the light source toward a bottomsurface of the lens.
 5. The backlight unit of claim 4, wherein thebottom surface of the lens is curved and comprises a concave grooveconfigured to accommodate the light source therein.
 6. The backlightunit of claim 1, further comprising a reflective ring configured tosurround the light source and comprising the plurality of patterns. 7.The backlight unit of claim 6, wherein a size of the bottom surface ofthe lens is larger than a size of the reflective ring such that the lenscovers all of the plurality of patterns.
 8. The backlight unit of claim1, further comprising a plurality of supports configured to support thelens disposed over the light source, wherein each of the plurality ofpatterns is curvilinear and positioned to correspond to one of theplurality of supports.
 9. The backlight unit of claim 1, furthercomprising a plurality of supports coupled to the substrate andconfigured to support the lens, wherein a number of the plurality ofsupports is the same as a number of the plurality of patterns.
 10. Thebacklight unit of claim 1, wherein the light source is a square orrectangular shape, and wherein each of the plurality of patterns iscurvilinear and one or more patterns are positioned such that the middleportion of the pattern is curved toward a corresponding corner of thelight source.
 11. The backlight unit of claim 1, further comprising afluorescent layer on top of the light source, and wherein the pluralityof patterns is configured to reflect a specific color of light emittedthrough the fluorescent layer from the light source.
 12. The backlightunit of claim 1, wherein the plurality of patterns is symmetrical withrespect to a central axis bisecting the light source.
 13. The backlightunit of claim 1, wherein the lens comprises a concave top surfaceconfigured to reflect at least some light from the light source towardlateral sides of the lens.
 14. The backlight unit of claim 1, wherein aheight from the substrate to a top of the plurality of patterns is lessthan a height from the substrate to a top of the light source.
 15. Abacklight unit comprising: a substrate; a light source disposed on thesubstrate; a lens disposed over the light source; and a plurality ofpatterns between the substrate and the lens and disposed around thelight source, wherein each of the plurality of patterns is curvilinearand positioned such that a middle portion along a length of each patternis curved toward the light source closer than corresponding terminatingends along the length of the pattern, and wherein the each of theplurality of patterns is yellow.
 16. The backlight unit of claim 15,wherein the lens includes an upper surface, a lower surface facing theupper surface, and a side surface connected with the upper surface andthe lower surface, and wherein the lens further comprises a groove onthe lower surface to accommodate the light source therein.
 17. Thebacklight unit of claim 16, wherein the plurality of patterns ispositioned only in an area under the lens between the groove and theside surface of the lens.
 18. The backlight unit of claim 15, furthercomprising a plurality of supports configured to support the lensdisposed over the light source, wherein each of the plurality ofpatterns is curvilinear and positioned to correspond to one of theplurality of supports.
 19. The backlight unit of claim 15, furthercomprising a plurality of supports coupled to the substrate andconfigured to support the lens, wherein a number of the plurality ofsupports is the same as a number of the plurality of patterns.
 20. Abacklight unit comprising: a substrate; a light source disposed on thesubstrate; a lens disposed over the light source, the lens including anupper surface, a lower surface facing the upper surface, a side surfaceconnected with the upper surface and the lower surface, and a groove onthe lower surface to accommodate the light source therein; a reflectivemember between the lens and the substrate; and a plurality of patternson the reflective member, the plurality of patterns disposed around thelight source, wherein each of the plurality of patterns is yellow andcurvilinear and positioned such that a middle portion along a length ofeach pattern is curved toward the light source closer than correspondingterminating ends along the length of the pattern, wherein the lightsource includes a fluorescent layer on top of the light source, andwherein the plurality of patterns is positioned between the groove andthe side surface of the lens such that the plurality of patternsreflects a specific color of light from the light source toward thelower surface of the lens.